'Ping in RP, not hiding abroad'

MANILA, Philippines - A senior military official insisted yesterday that contrary to claims that he is in hiding abroad, Sen. Panfilo Lacson is in the country.

Lacson has a standing warrant of arrest for his alleged role in the November 2000 abduction and murder of publicist Salvador Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito.

“He is here. In fact, on several occasions he was seen in southern part of Metro Manila,” the official, who asked not be named, said.

If not in Metro Manila, Lacson “is spending most of his time with a notorious character somewhere in Northern Luzon,” a source said.

Information on Lacson’s current whereabouts jibed with reports reaching Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

“We can never rule out the possibility that he is just in the country... I have certain information but it’s still being validated so I can’t disclose yet,” De Lima said.

She said she received information that Lacson “does not want to surrender yet because he abhors the idea of being handcuff and being jailed.”

The senator had reportedly left the country days before a warrant of arrest could be issued against him in connection with the Dacer-Corbito double murder wherein he is one of the key respondents.

Lacson himself later confirmed that he had left the country to avoid political harassment by the previous administration.

But the source said Lacson has returned and law enforcement agencies supposed to arrest him have done nothing to get the senator.

Jaime Laude, Philippine Star